Reborn, My Ex-husband Frozen in Regret2 / 3

Chapter 2

Caleb walked over, holding a flute of champagne. His eyes swept over my plain attire, a mocking smirk playing on his lips.

"What a rare guest."

His voice wasn't loud, but it was clear enough for everyone nearby to hear.

"How did someone like you even get an invitation to an event like this?"

Before I could answer, a man in gold-rimmed glasses chuckled beside him.

"Mr. Moore, who is this?"

Caleb swirled the champagne in his flute, his tone dismissive.

"Audrey Mercer. My ex-wife."

The moment the words "ex-wife" left his lips, the surrounding chatter died down.

Several pairs of eyes turned toward me, sizing me up without the slightest hesitation.

The man in the gold-rimmed glasses looked enlightened.

"Oh, so this is the Miss Mercer who spent every penny she had on a lavish wedding back then?"

He dragged out his words with obvious ridicule.

"Judging by your look, you haven't done very well for yourself, have you? I certainly haven't seen you around high society."

"Wait, doesn't she look a bit like Ms. Price?"

Another businessman in a dark navy suit joined in.

"How could she possibly compare? Compared to Ms. Price, she looks downright shabby. Making that comparison is giving her way too much credit."

Before I could speak, a young socialite standing near Caleb let out a soft laugh.

"Mr. Davis, that's so mean. Can't you see she's too embarrassed to talk? Caleb probably just used her as a substitute while he was heartbroken. Bringing it up now is so awkward for her."

"Hey, I'm just stating facts," the man replied, stepping forward and tapping my shoulder patronizingly.

"Being a stand-in for Ms. Price was the best thing that ever happened to a girl like you."

A wave of cruel laughter rippled through the circle.

Caleb took a sip of his champagne. He didn't stop them, nor did he join in. He simply watched me with smug contempt.

Encouraged by his silence, the man in the gold glasses grew bolder.

"If you ask me, you shouldn't have shown up tonight. Look at where Caleb is now. Aren't you just humiliating yourself?"

"Now, now," the navy-suited man pretended to play peacemaker.

"Since she's already here, the least we can do is let her have a glass of wine before she leaves. Though the wine served here might be way above her usual budget."

Subdued chuckles echoed around us.

Caleb finally broke his silence, his voice polite yet frigid.

"Everyone, please. I did treat Audrey as a substitute, but that's ancient history."

"It was just a phase. Let's not make a big deal out of it."

He looked at me, his eyes entirely devoid of warmth.

"If you came here to offer your blessings, Audrey, I accept. But if you have other intentions..."

He paused, letting the silence hang as everyone waited for his punchline.

"We aren't the naive kids we were eight years ago. It's time you woke up from your little dream."

"Even if you dress down like a server to get my attention, it's never going to happen."

Those words opened the floodgates for everyone's mockery.

The very people who had once smiled warmly at our wedding now stood by his side, looking at me with pity, scorn, and malicious amusement.

I listened quietly to every single insult. Under their eager stares, waiting for me to break down, I merely gave a slight nod.